Inlaid Swords from the Inarizuka Tumulus in Saitama
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Ring Pommel with a Phoenix
Found at the Inarizuka Tumulus, Saitama, Kofun period, 6th centuryJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 27, 2023 (Tue) - December 10, 2023 (Sun)In Japan, inlaid iron swords became prevalent by the 6th century, during the Kofun period (ca. 3rd–7th century). A pommel named Ring Pommel with a Phoenix that was found at the Inarizuka Tumulus in Saitama Prefecture would have been attached to one of these swords. Noted for its gold and silver inlay decoration, this pommel shares similar characteristics with Korean pommels featuring dragons and phoenixes.
These Korean pommels were made for swords that were widely used in the regions around Dae Gaya, a small state that existed in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Ring Pommel with a Phoenix | Found at the Inarizuka Tumulus, Saitama | Kofun period, 6th century | J-8035-1 | |||
| Sword with a Guard | Found at the Inarizuka Tumulus, Saitama | Kofun period, 6th century | J-8035-2 | ||||
| Knife | Found at the Inarizuka Tumulus, Saitama | Kofun period, 6th century | J-8036 |